Jackson West

With everything from the question of casein (a milk protein used to put the melt in vegan cheese) to keeping a spare pot handy so your well-seasoned but meat-laced cast iron pan doesn't pass any animal impurities into the texturized vegetable protein, this guide to entertaining vegans with plenty of recipes should help make things a little less tense between the omnivores and herbivores forced to share a home for a while. Looking for more ideas? Try these meaty but meatless options or load your iPod with vegan recipes. I always have a couple of vegan options at every dinner party — because what works for vegans generally works for less stringent vegetarians and avoids most religious proscriptions. What are some of your favorite "surprisingly vegan" dishes? Tell us in the comments. Photo by nayrb7.